The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

Although the old Taoist priest refused, Wang Zhenhuan still left him a few copper coins. After bidding farewell to the old Taoist priest, Wang Zhenhuan walked along the long street towards the inner city. After walking for a while, he noticed something unusual.

It's only just sunrise, around Chen Shi (7-9 AM). Yet there are so many people on the streets. One street being like this is understandable, but every street being like this is problematic.

Moreover, all these people were surging towards the city. Wang Zhenhuan stopped, looked around for a moment, and then grabbed a young boy. He cupped his hands in greeting to the boy and asked with a smile.

"Young man, may I ask what's happening in the city? Why is everyone gathering there?"

The boy, looking impatient, waved his hand and was about to leave. But when he saw the copper coins Wang Zhenhuan offered, his expression immediately softened. Taking the coins, he began to explain to Wang Zhenhuan.

"The Venerable Abbot Faming of Jinguang Temple is giving a sermon in the city today. Those with affinity will be accepted as disciples by the abbot. Hurry up, or there won't be any seats left. I have to go too."

After speaking, the young man waved to Wang Zhenhuan, turned, and left. Wang Zhenhuan watched thoughtfully as the young man disappeared into the crowd. He muttered to himself:

"So many people are going to listen to the sermon; this abbot must be quite capable. Should I go and listen?"

After a moment's thought, Wang Huanzhen decided to go and see for himself. He wanted to see both Buddhism and Taoism. He had previously seen the venerable and otherworldly appearance of Taoist Master Luo Puzi.

So what must Buddhism, which is on par with Taoism, be like? He couldn't help but feel curious, as he had never seen a monk since he could remember.

Thinking of this, he quickened his pace and followed the crowd towards the city. After walking for about half an incense stick's time, he arrived in the city. By then, the city was already packed with people.

Wang Huanzhen stood outside, jumping around a few times but still couldn't see what was happening in the field. He looked around and saw a sturdy jujube tree growing in front of a house, so he went over and climbed up the tree in no time.

After climbing the tree, he finally saw the scene in the crowd. In the middle of the crowd, there was a circular platform made of wood, with two rows of seats on each side. At this moment, all the seats were empty.

Directly in front of the wooden platform were some chairs and sunshades, where a few richly dressed people sat scattered about. Around the platform stood a group of Song Dynasty soldiers, maintaining order.

What a grand display!

Wang Huanzhen frowned. Although he had never met the abbot of Jinshan Temple, the pomp and circumstance displeased him. There were at least a thousand people in the room, all waiting for him under the blazing sun.

Humans are emotional beings. If someone dislikes another, everything that person does will seem unpleasant. Wang Zhenhuan was in this situation at the moment. Upon hearing the sound of a gong, he, like the rest of the crowd, looked towards the direction of the gong.

A bald monk and a man dressed in tight-fitting clothes walked down from a nearby restaurant. Although the man looked to be only about fifty years old, the monk treated him with great respect.

The monk had white eyebrows and a long beard, wore a bright red kasaya, and had a kind and benevolent appearance. Seeing this, Wang Zhenhuan couldn't help but nod. Putting everything else aside, at least the abbot's appearance was quite pleasing.

At least it conformed to the image of an enlightened monk in the minds of ordinary people. After the monk and the man took their seats on the platform, they immediately rose to greet the crowd, bowed, and chanted Buddhist prayers.

"Namo Amitabha Buddha, please take your seats."

The old monk spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, his tone conveying a sense of tranquility and compassion. His words seemed to echo in everyone's ears, and all the people present heard them.

Some of the people chanted Buddhist prayers, while others who had brought stools sat on them, and those who hadn't simply sat on the ground. The entire area instantly fell silent.

However, unlike the common people, Wang Zhen frowned upon hearing the old monk's words. Eighty percent of the people present had come empty-handed; his words were undoubtedly directed at the powerful and influential figures below the platform.

However, on the surface, it seemed as if he was speaking out of pity for the people present. This affected attitude displeased Wang Zhenhuan greatly. Ever since he had felt disgusted with the old monk earlier, nothing Wang Zhenhuan did pleased him.

He initially intended to leave, but then he reconsidered, realizing he had come to see what the difference was between Buddhism and Taoism. So he patiently waited for the old monk to continue. He had expected the old monk to reveal some of his skills.

After inviting everyone to sit down, he actually started preaching right from his meditation cushions. His sermons were all about things like the Prajnaparamita Sutra, leaving Wang Zhenhuan completely bewildered.

It seems he truly has no affinity with Buddhism...

Wang Huanzhen sighed and climbed down from the tree. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly noticed that the group of martial artists he had met at the city gate were patrolling the area below the platform.

Who exactly are these martial artists? Why are they looking for that young Taoist priest? And why are so many soldiers and officials present ignoring them? Just as he was wondering, he suddenly saw the leading martial artist shake his head at the man on the platform.

He then realized that these martial artists were in cahoots with the man. But thinking about it, it made sense; they had been mixed up with the city's guards earlier, so this situation wasn't surprising.

Wang Zhenhuan shook his head, checked the direction, and was about to leave when he suddenly noticed the blind old Taoist priest who had told his fortune earlier flash by at a street corner not far away.

He was secretly pleased, though he preferred Taoism to Buddhism. Perhaps it was because his previous interactions with Taoist Master Luo Puzi had left a deep impression on him.

But the order in which people arrive is predetermined. Who can say for sure? Wang Huanzhen jogged all the way to the street corner where the old Taoist priest had disappeared.

Sure enough, the old Taoist priest was not far away, slowly walking forward with a bamboo cane in his hand. Wang Zhenhuan said to the old Taoist priest, "Taoist priest, I didn't expect to meet you again. It seems that I am destined to meet you."

Having said that, he stepped forward and took the old Taoist's arm. The old Taoist smiled slightly and nodded: "Indeed, we are destined to meet, but young friend, it is not that you are destined to meet me, but that you are destined to meet my Tao."

"Haha, Daoist Master, I've heard other Daoist Masters say the same thing. It's just that I've been wandering around for almost a month now, and I still haven't found the opportunity to enter the Dao."

"Don't rush, don't rush. I believe you are new to the city and have nowhere to stay. I have been staying in a dilapidated temple outside the city for the past few days. If you don't mind, you can come back with me."

The old Taoist patted Wang Zhenhuan's hand and said. Upon hearing this, Wang Zhenhuan was overjoyed, but he was reluctant to leave the inn. He had been worried about where to stay for the night.

He hurriedly said, "I would be honored to accept your kind offer. I thank you in advance, Daoist Master. My name is Wang Huanzhen. Please address me by my name, Daoist Master."

"Really...really, what a fine name. Your father must have been a learned man. What is truth? Kindness is truth. To be kind to others is to be true to oneself." The old Taoist priest exclaimed in admiration upon hearing the name Wang Zhenhuan.

Wang Zhenhuan said with a melancholy tone, "Perhaps, but it's a pity that the boy has never seen his parents since he was a child. I heard from the villagers that the boy was adopted by a Taoist priest."

But after I could remember, that Taoist priest was gone…